In these days in some of the Muslims dominating countries question
about the relation between state and religion is burning issue. Some consider
this as war of rhetoric between liberal VS fanatics. In reality in Muslim
societies it is fundamental question of our time to decide the domain of
religion - rather state can dominate the narrative for or against religion OR
it is personal matter. For example if somebody is wearing hijab or growing
beard or wearing any religious symbol or practicing any ritual or prayer as per
his/her believe that individual should have free option without “big brothers”
interference. Same goes with religiously motivated personal morality - as long the
person is not breaking the law of land or not hurting or forcing others they should
be allowed but state should not make the laws as per somebody’s religion or religious
interpretations.
We need to understand that religion by its spirit is voluntarily
scheme to setup morality, spirituality and social interaction between individual
and society; it can’t be forced by power of government or by militant groups.
If God’s plan was to send religious scriptures to force on people by power then
he would be appointing kings/warriors and other dominating people as prophets.
Let’s go back to
current situation in some of the Muslim countries.... due to variety of reason
and predominantly global imperialistic agenda and regional proxies there was
political vacuum in countries like Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and tribal
areas of Pakistan..... and when religious ambitions and narrative become leading
agenda in that vacuum then we saw atrocities and complete devastation by
religious groups and that was as per their interpretation of Islam. If we are
sincere with Muslim majority countries like Pakistan and its people then we
have to oppose spreading religious narrative by power of state or by Jihadi
militant groups. If state stays neutral about religion and don’t have any religion
then state can treat every citizen equally. State should allow all citizens to
practice their religion as long they don’t force on others or don’t break the
law of the land.
Professor Abdullahi Ahmed an-Naim’s book “Islam and the secular state:
negotiating the future of Sharia” is great reading on this debate.
We should have this debate on all levels to resolve this conflicting
point of mixing of religion and politics once and forever.
